The Military Medal GVI (WW2) is a prestigious silver medal that honours exceptional valour. With its circular design showcasing King George VI's effigy and a ribbon adorned with vertical stripes, it is a symbol of bravery and courage. Read more..
The Military Medal (MM) was a British and Commonwealth decoration awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army for acts of bravery, devotion to duty, or other meritorious service during combat. Established during World War I by King George V, the Military Medal continued to be awarded during the reign of King George VI, from 1936 to 1952, as a recognition of exceptional valor in the face of the enemy.
Design
The medal is made of silver and features a circular design. The obverse displays the effigy of the reigning monarch at the time of issue, in this case, King George VI, surrounded by the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:" (George VI, by the Grace of God, King of all the British territories, Emperor of India). The reverse showcases the Royal cypher and inscription "FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD" encircled by a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory and honor.
Ribbon
The ribbon of the Military Medal features a symmetrical pattern of vertical stripes of dark blue, white, and red.
Bars
In cases where the recipient performed additional acts of bravery, a silver, laurelled bar could be added to the ribbon. Each subsequent bar represented another act of gallantry.
The Military Medal, which continued to be awarded during the reign of King George VI, recognized the courage and commitment of non-commissioned officers and other ranks in the British and Commonwealth Armies during times of war. The decoration served as an acknowledgment of their exceptional bravery and devotion to duty, ensuring their heroic acts would not be forgotten.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
